Lithographic apparatus, and motor cooling device

ABSTRACT

A lithographic device includes a cooling device for removing heat from a motor. The cooling device has a cooling element provided in thermal contact with at least part of the motor. The cooling device further has a cooling duct assembly with a supply duct to supply a cooling fluid to the cooling element, and a discharge duct to discharge the cooling fluid from the cooling element. A pump causes the cooling fluid to flow through at least part of the cooling duct assembly. A flow control device controls a flow rate of the cooling fluid through at least part of the cooling duct assembly, to maintain a predetermined average temperature of the cooling fluid in the cooling element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/511,532; filed Aug. 29, 2006 (that issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,916,267on Mar. 29, 2011), which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lithographic apparatus including amotor cooling device, and a cooling device for removing heat from amotor.

2. Description of the Related Art

A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired patternonto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. Alithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture ofintegrated circuits (ICs). In such a case, a patterning device, which isalternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used togenerate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of theIC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g.including part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g. a siliconwafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer ofradiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. Ingeneral, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent targetportions that are successively patterned. Conventional lithographicapparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion isirradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion atonce, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiatedby scanning the pattern through a radiation beam in a given direction(the “scanning”-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrateparallel or anti-parallel to this direction. It is also possible totransfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate byimprinting the pattern onto the substrate.

Patterning devices as well as substrates may be moved during thetransfer of the pattern onto the substrate. For this purpose, patterningdevices and substrates are mounted to associated supports calledpatterning support and substrate support, respectively, which are drivenby motors in several degrees of freedom. Movements of supports are to bemade in the shortest times possible. Therefore, motors for a substratesupport, in particular, but not limited thereto, tend to require anincreasing amount of power to allow increasing accelerations anddecelerations, where also the mass to be accelerated and to bedecelerated has a tendency to increase. At the same time, there is aneed to keep the physical dimensions of the motors limited.

In operation, a motor dissipates heat. In an electric motor, heat isgenerated by a current flowing in an electrical coil accommodated in apart of the motor. The heat dissipated in a motor is to be removedthrough at least one cooling element, such as a cooling plate, mountedin a thermal contact with the heat generating part of the motor. In acooling element, heat generated in a motor is transferred to a coolingfluid (a gas or a liquid, e.g. water). The cooling fluid is fed to thecooling element through a supply duct, flows into and through thecooling element, e.g. in channels provided in the cooling element, andout of the cooling element into a discharge duct, whereby heat isremoved from the heat generating part of the motor. A portion of thisheat is transferred from the cooling element to an environment of themotor, or vice versa, by radiation and convection, where the amount ofheat transferred is determined by an average temperature of a surface ofthe cooling element. It is desirable to limit the heat transferredbetween the cooling element surface and the environment to maintainstable operating conditions of the apparatus containing the motor, evenif the heat dissipated in the motor varies when the load of the motorvaries.

Conventionally, a motor has been cooled by feeding a cooling fluidhaving a fixed temperature to the motor's cooling element with a fixedflow rate. Since the dissipated heat in the motor varies in time whilethe amount of water per unit of time does not vary, the averagetemperature of the surface of the cooling element will vary with theload of the motor. Since the average temperature and variations in thisaverage temperature are to be limited, also the load of the motor (theheat dissipated in the motor) is limited.

With the increased power of motors, and the size limitations of themotors at the same time, problems arise in the cooling of the motors.

Increasing a cooling rate of a cooling fluid by increasing across-section of a cooling channel in a cooling element is undesirablesince this will increase a magnetic gap in the motor, therebydeteriorating the motor constant.

Increasing a flow rate of a cooling fluid by increasing a flow speed ofthe cooling fluid in a cooling element is undesirable in view of thehigh pressure needed, and in view of the risk of the cooling fluid flowbecoming turbulent instead of laminar, thus creating unwanted vibrationsand an excessive pressure drop. A high pressure would furthernecessitate a construction capable of withstanding such pressure. Also,a high pressure or flow speed could give rise to an undesired generationof vibrations.

Decreasing a cooling fluid temperature, and allowing a highertemperature rise of the cooling fluid is undesirable in view of theresulting relatively high temperature fluctuations when the motor loadvaries over a broad range.

SUMMARY

It is desirable to provide a motor cooling arrangement suitable for amotor operating under high loads, and thus dissipating a high amount ofheat.

In an embodiment according to the invention, there is provided alithographic apparatus including: an illumination system configured tocondition a radiation beam; a patterning support constructed to supporta patterning device, the patterning device being capable of impartingthe radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form apatterned radiation beam; a substrate support constructed to support asubstrate; a projection system configured to project the patternedradiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a motor coupledto one of the patterning support and the substrate support; and acooling device configured to remove heat from the motor. The coolingdevice includes: a cooling element provided in thermal contact with atleast part of the motor; a cooling duct assembly including a supply ductfor supplying a cooling fluid to the cooling element, and a dischargeduct for discharging the cooling fluid from the cooling element; a pumpconfigured to cause the cooling fluid to flow through at least part ofthe cooling duct assembly; and a flow control device configured tocontrol a flow rate of the cooling fluid through at least part of thecooling duct assembly, to reach a predetermined average temperature ofthe cooling fluid in the cooling element.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the cooling fluid in thesupply duct has a predetermined supply temperature, the flow controldevice including a temperature sensor measuring a discharge temperatureof the cooling fluid in the discharge duct, and the flow control devicebeing configured to compare the discharge temperature to a referencetemperature for controlling the flow rate of the cooling fluid.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the flow control deviceincludes a first temperature sensor measuring a supply temperature ofthe cooling fluid in the supply duct, and a second temperature sensormeasuring a discharge temperature of the cooling fluid in the dischargeduct, and the flow control device being configured to compare an averagetemperature of the supply temperature and the discharge temperature to areference temperature for controlling the flow rate of the coolingfluid.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the flow control deviceincludes a temperature sensor measuring a motor temperature of at leastpart of the motor, and the flow control device being configured tocompare the motor temperature to a reference temperature for controllingthe flow rate of the cooling fluid.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the motor is an electricmotor to be energized by at least one motor current, the flow controldevice being configured to measure the at least one motor current tocontrol a flow rate of the cooling fluid.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, there is provided acooling device for removing heat from a motor. The cooling deviceincludes: a cooling element provided in thermal contact with at leastpart of the motor; a cooling duct assembly including a supply duct forsupplying a cooling fluid to the cooling element, and a discharge ductfor discharging the cooling fluid from the cooling element; a pumpconfigured to cause the cooling fluid to flow through at least part ofthe cooling duct assembly; and a flow control device configured tocontrol a flow rate of the cooling fluid through at least part of thecooling duct assembly, to maintain a predetermined average temperatureof the cooling fluid in the cooling element.

A device manufacturing method includes (a) patterning a beam ofradiation with a patterning device to form a patterned beam ofradiation, the patterning device supported by a patterning devicesupport; (b) projecting the patterned onto a substrate, the substratesupported by a substrate support; (c) positioning one of the supportswith a motor; and (d) removing heat generated by the motor with acooling element in thermal contact with at least part of the motor, theremoving including (i) supplying a cooling fluid to the cooling element;(ii) discharging the cooling fluid from the cooling element; and (iii)controlling a flow rate of the cooling fluid through the cooling elementto maintain a predetermined average temperature of the cooling fluid inthe cooling element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in whichcorresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a lithographic apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a motor cooling device in an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 16 schematically shows a motor cooling device in a furtherembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a lithographic apparatus according to oneembodiment of the invention. The apparatus includes an illuminationsystem (illuminator) IL configured to condition a radiation beam B (e.g.UV radiation or any other suitable radiation), a mask support structure(e.g. a mask table) MT constructed to support a patterning device (e.g.a mask) MA and connected to a first positioning device PM configured toaccurately position the patterning device in accordance with certainparameters. The apparatus also includes a substrate table (e.g. a wafertable) WT or “substrate support” constructed to hold a substrate (e.g. aresist-coated wafer) W and connected to a second positioning device PWconfigured to accurately position the substrate in accordance withcertain parameters. The apparatus further includes a projection system(e.g. a refractive projection lens system) PS configured to project apattern imparted to the radiation beam B by patterning device MA onto atarget portion C (e.g. including one or more dies) of the substrate W.

The illumination system may include various types of optical components,such as refractive, reflective, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrostaticor other types of optical components, or any combination thereof, fordirecting, shaping, or controlling radiation.

The mask support structure supports, i.e. bears the weight of, thepatterning device. It holds the patterning device in a manner thatdepends on the orientation of the patterning device, the design of thelithographic apparatus, and other conditions, such as for examplewhether or not the patterning device is held in a vacuum environment.The mask support structure can use mechanical, vacuum, electrostatic orother clamping techniques to hold the patterning device. The masksupport structure may be a frame or a table, for example, which may befixed or movable as required. The mask support structure may ensure thatthe patterning device is at a desired position, for example with respectto the projection system. Any use of the terms “reticle” or “mask”herein may be considered synonymous with the more general term“patterning device.”

The term “patterning device” used herein should be broadly interpretedas referring to any device that can be used to impart a radiation beamwith a pattern in its cross-section so as to create a pattern in atarget portion of the substrate. It should be noted that the patternimparted to the radiation beam may not exactly correspond to the desiredpattern in the target portion of the substrate, for example if thepattern includes phase-shifting features or so called assist features.Generally, the pattern imparted to the radiation beam will correspond toa particular functional layer in a device being created in the targetportion, such as an integrated circuit.

The patterning device may be transmissive or reflective. Examples ofpatterning devices include masks, programmable mirror arrays, andprogrammable LCD panels. Masks are well known in lithography, andinclude mask types such as binary, alternating phase-shift, andattenuated phase-shift, as well as various hybrid mask types. An exampleof a programmable mirror array employs a matrix arrangement of smallmirrors, each of which can be individually tilted so as to reflect anincoming radiation beam in different directions. The tilted mirrorsimpart a pattern in a radiation beam which is reflected by the mirrormatrix.

The term “projection system” used herein should be broadly interpretedas encompassing any type of projection system, including refractive,reflective, catadioptric, magnetic, electromagnetic and electrostaticoptical systems, or any combination thereof, as appropriate for theexposure radiation being used, or for other factors such as the use ofan immersion liquid or the use of a vacuum. Any use of the term“projection lens” herein may be considered as synonymous with the moregeneral term “projection system”.

As here depicted, the apparatus is of a transmissive type (e.g.employing a transmissive mask). Alternatively, the apparatus may be of areflective type (e.g. employing a programmable mirror array of a type asreferred to above, or employing a reflective mask).

The lithographic apparatus may be of a type having two (dual stage) ormore substrate tables or “substrate supports” (and/or two or more masktables or “mask supports”). In such “multiple stage” machines theadditional tables or supports may be used in parallel, or preparatorysteps may be carried out on one or more tables or supports while one ormore other tables or supports are being used for exposure.

The lithographic apparatus may also be of a type wherein at least aportion of the substrate may be covered by a liquid having a relativelyhigh refractive index, e.g. water, so as to fill a space between theprojection system and the substrate. An immersion liquid may also beapplied to other spaces in the lithographic apparatus, for example,between the mask and the projection system. Immersion techniques can beused to increase the numerical aperture of projection systems. The term“immersion” as used herein does not mean that a structure, such as asubstrate, must be submerged in liquid, but rather only means that aliquid is located between the projection system and the substrate duringexposure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the illuminator IL receives a radiation beam from aradiation source SO. The source and the lithographic apparatus may beseparate entities, for example when the source is an excimer laser. Insuch cases, the source is not considered to form part of thelithographic apparatus and the radiation beam is passed from the sourceSO to the illuminator IL with the aid of a beam delivery system BDincluding, for example, suitable directing mirrors and/or a beamexpander. In other cases the source may be an integral part of thelithographic apparatus, for example when the source is a mercury lamp.The source SO and the illuminator IL, together with the beam deliverysystem BD if required, may be referred to as a radiation system.

The illuminator IL may include an adjuster AD configured to adjust theangular intensity distribution of the radiation beam. Generally, atleast the outer and/or inner radial extent (commonly referred to as.sigma.-outer and .sigma.-inner, respectively) of the intensitydistribution in a pupil plane of the illuminator can be adjusted. Inaddition, the illuminator IL may include various other components, suchas an integrator IN and a condenser CO. The illuminator may be used tocondition the radiation beam, to have a desired uniformity and intensitydistribution in its cross-section.

The radiation beam B is incident on the patterning device (e.g., maskMA), which is held on the mask support structure (e.g., mask table MT),and is patterned by the patterning device. Having traversed the mask MA,the radiation beam B passes through the projection system PS, whichfocuses the beam onto a target portion C of the substrate W. With theaid of the second positioning device PW and position sensor IF (e.g. aninterferometric device, linear encoder or capacitive sensor), thesubstrate table WT can be moved accurately, e.g. so as to positiondifferent target portions C in the path of the radiation beam B.Similarly, the first positioning device PM and another position sensor(which is not explicitly depicted in FIG. 1) can be used to accuratelyposition the mask MA with respect to the path of the radiation beam B,e.g. after mechanical retrieval from a mask library, or during a scan.In general, movement of the mask table MT may be realized with the aidof a long-stroke module (coarse positioning) and a short-stroke module(fine positioning), which form part of the first positioning device PM.Similarly, movement of the substrate table WT or “substrate support” maybe realized using a long-stroke module and a short-stroke module, whichform part of the second positioning device PW. In the case of a stepper(as opposed to a scanner) the mask table MT may be connected to ashort-stroke actuator only, or may be fixed. Mask MA and substrate W maybe aligned using mask alignment marks M1, M2 and substrate alignmentmarks P1, P2. Although the substrate alignment marks as illustratedoccupy dedicated target portions, they may be located in spaces betweentarget portions (these are known as scribe-lane alignment marks).Similarly, in situations in which more than one die is provided on themask MA, the mask alignment marks may be located between the dies.

The depicted apparatus could be used in at least one of the followingmodes:

1. In step mode, the mask table MT or “mask support” and the substratetable WT or “substrate support” are kept essentially stationary, whilean entire pattern imparted to the radiation beam is projected onto atarget portion C at one time (i.e. a single static exposure). Thesubstrate table WT or “substrate support” is then shifted in the Xand/or Y direction so that a different target portion C can be exposed.In step mode, the maximum size of the exposure field limits the size ofthe target portion C imaged in a single static exposure.

2. In scan mode, the mask table MT or “mask support” and the substratetable WT or “substrate support” are scanned synchronously while apattern imparted to the radiation beam is projected onto a targetportion C (i.e. a single dynamic exposure). The velocity and directionof the substrate table WT or “substrate support” relative to the masktable MT or “mask support” may be determined by the (de-)magnificationand image reversal characteristics of the projection system PS. In scanmode, the maximum size of the exposure field limits the width (in thenon-scanning direction) of the target portion in a single dynamicexposure, whereas the length of the scanning motion determines theheight (in the scanning direction) of the target portion.

3. In another mode, the mask table MT or “mask support” is keptessentially stationary holding a programmable patterning device, and thesubstrate table WT or “substrate support” is moved or scanned while apattern imparted to the radiation beam is projected onto a targetportion C. In this mode, generally a pulsed radiation source is employedand the programmable patterning device is updated as required after eachmovement of the substrate table WT or “substrate support” or in betweensuccessive radiation pulses during a scan. This mode of operation can bereadily applied to maskless lithography that utilizes programmablepatterning device, such as a programmable mirror array of a type asreferred to above.

Combinations and/or variations on the above described modes of use orentirely different modes of use may also be employed.

The first positioning device PM and/or the second positioning device PWinclude several motors. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, at least some of these motors may be provided with a coolingdevice to be described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 shows a cooling element 2 to be provided in thermal contact withat least part of a motor, such as an electric motor. Conventionally, inan electric motor heat is dissipated at least in motor coils. In aplanar motor, such coils may essentially extend in a plane, and thecoils may be sandwiched between cooling elements designed as coolingplates.

A cooling duct assembly includes a supply duct 4 through which a coolingfluid (i.e. a gas or a liquid, such as water) is fed to the coolingelement 2, and further includes a discharge duct 6 through which thecooling fluid is discharged from the cooling element 2. A pump 8provides a flow of the cooling fluid in the cooling duct assembly.

The cooling arrangement shown in FIG. 2 further includes a controllablevalve 10 in the discharge duct 6, and a temperature sensor 12 configuredto measure a discharge temperature of the cooling fluid in the dischargeduct 6. A signal representative of the discharge temperature is input toa control system 14 outputting a control signal to control the flow rateof the valve 10. The assembly of the temperature sensor 12, the controlsystem 14, and the valve 10 may be considered to be a flow controldevice 16.

The operation of the cooling device in FIG. 2 is as follows. The pump 8delivers a flow of cooling fluid having a predetermined temperature T1into the supply duct 4, through the cooling element 2, where heatdissipated by a motor or part thereof is taken up by the cooling fluid,and further through the discharge duct 6 and the valve 10. From thedischarge duct 6, the cooling fluid may be discharged, not to be usedagain, or may be cooled to the predetermined temperature T1 and fed tothe pump 8 again for recirculation.

The flow rate of the cooling fluid in the cooling duct assembly isdetermined by the flow control device 16. A temperature T2 measured bythe temperature sensor 12 is input to the control system 14 thatcompares this temperature with the predetermined (known) temperature T1(which may also be referred to as a reference temperature) of thecooling fluid in the supply duct 4. The control system 14 is configuredto control the flow rate of the cooling fluid by the valve 10 such thata predetermined average temperature Ta=(T2+T1)/2 of the cooling fluid inthe cooling element 2 is reached.

As an example, T1 is 12° C. and Ta is chosen to be 22° C. The flowcontrol device 16 controls the flow rate of the cooling fluid by thevalve 10 such that according to the relationship above T2 becomes2·Ta−T1=32° C. The higher the heat load on the cooling element 2, thehigher the flow rate of the cooling fluid in the cooling duct assemblyshould be in order to reach the desired average temperature Ta in thecooling element 2. Inversely, the lower the heat load on the coolingelement 2 is, the lower the flow rate of the cooling fluid in thecooling duct assembly should be in order to reach the desired averagetemperature Ta in the cooling element 2. If the heat load on the coolingelement 2 is zero, then the valve 10 may close the discharge duct 6,thereby stopping a flow of cooling fluid in the duct assembly.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the valve 10 is placed in the supply duct 4instead of in the discharge duct 6 as in FIG. 2. However, the operationof the flow control device 16 in FIG. 3 is the same as the operation ofthe flow control device 16 in FIG. 2. A difference between theembodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 may be seen in that according to FIG. 2the cooling fluid pressure in the cooling element 2 does not vary withvariations of the flow rate of the cooling fluid caused by the controlof the valve 10 by the control system 14, whereas according to FIG. 3the cooling fluid pressure in the cooling element 2 varies withvariations of the flow rate of the cooling fluid caused by the controlof the valve 10 by the control system 14.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a flow control device 16 a includes atemperature sensor 12, a control system 14 a and a pump 8 a having acontrollable flow rate. A signal representative of the temperature T2measured by the temperature sensor 12 is input to the control system 14a that compares this temperature with a predetermined (thus: known)temperature T1 of the cooling fluid in the supply duct 4. The controlsystem 14 is configured to control the flow rate of the cooling fluid bycontrolling the flow rate of the pump 8 a such that a predeterminedaverage temperature Ta=(T2+T1)/2 of the cooling fluid in the coolingelement 2 is reached.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a flow control device 16 b includes atemperature sensor 11 measuring a temperature T1 of the cooling fluid inthe supply duct 4, a temperature sensor 12 measuring a temperature T2 ofthe cooling fluid in the discharge duct 6, a control system 14 b, and acontrollable valve 10 in the discharge duct 6.

Like in the previous embodiments, a flow rate of the cooling fluid inthe cooling duct assembly is determined by the flow control device 16 b.Signals representative of the temperatures T1 and T2 measured by thetemperature sensors 11 and 12, respectively, are input to the controlsystem 14 b that compares these temperatures. The control system 14 b isconfigured to control the flow rate of the cooling fluid by the valve 10such that a predetermined average temperature Ta=(T2+T1)/2 of thecooling fluid in the cooling element 2 is reached. Unlike the embodimentof FIG. 2, in the embodiment of FIG. 5 a temperature T1 of the coolingfluid in the supply duct 4 does not need to be known or set accurately,as long as it is lower than the average temperature Ta to be reached.

As an example, when T1 is 10° C. and Ta is chosen to be 22° C., the flowcontrol device 16 b controls the flow rate of the cooling fluid suchthat according to the relationship above T2 becomes 2Ta−T1=34° C. WhenT1 is 15° C. and Ta is again chosen to be 22° C., the flow controldevice 16 b controls the flow rate of the cooling fluid such thataccording to the relationship above T2 becomes 2Ta−T1=29° C.Accordingly, the higher T1, the lower T2 should become to obtain thesame average temperature Ta.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the valve 10 is placed in the supplyduct 4 instead of in the discharge duct 6 as in FIG. 5. However, theoperation of the flow control device 16 b in FIG. 6 is the same as theoperation of the flow control device 16 b in FIG. 5. A differencebetween the embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 may be seen in thataccording to FIG. 5 the cooling fluid pressure in the cooling element 2does not vary with variations of the flow rate of the cooling fluidcaused by the control of the valve 10 by the control system 14 b,whereas according to FIG. 6 the cooling fluid pressure in the coolingelement 2 varies with variations of the flow rate of the cooling fluidcaused by the control of the valve 10 by the control system 14 b.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a flow control device 16 c includes atemperature sensor 11, a temperature sensor 12, a control system 14 cand a pump 8 c having a controllable flow rate. Signals representativeof temperatures T1 and T2 measured by the temperature sensors 11 and 12,respectively, are input to the control system 14 c that compares thesetemperatures. The control system 14 is configured to control the flowrate of the cooling fluid by controlling the flow rate of the pump 8 csuch that a predetermined average temperature Ta=(T2+T1)/2 of thecooling fluid in the cooling element 2 is reached.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a cooling device including a supply duct 4with a pump 8, a cooling element 2, and a discharge duct 6 with acontrollable valve 10. The valve 10 is part of a flow control device 16d further including a control system 14 d.

In operation, the flow rate of the cooling fluid in the cooling ductassembly of FIG. 8 is determined by the flow control device 16 d. Acurrent Is in a motor that is in thermal contact with the coolingelement 2 is measured, and is representative of the heat load on thecooling element 2. A signal representative of the current Is is input tothe control system 14 d, which in turn outputs a control signal tocontrol the flow rate of the valve 10. The control system 14 d isconfigured to control the flow rate of the cooling fluid by the valve 10such that a predetermined average temperature Ta of the cooling fluid inthe cooling element 2 is reached. Like in the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3,and 4, it is presumed that the temperature of the cooling fluid in thesupply duct 4 is known. A relationship between a current Is and acorresponding flow rate of the valve 10 for varying currents Is may havebeen pre-established through a calibration of the flow control device 16d, for reaching the desired average temperature Ta of the cooling fluidin the cooling element 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the valve 10 is placed in the supply duct 4instead of in the discharge duct 6 as in FIG. 8. However, the operationof the flow control device 16 d in FIG. 9 is the same as the operationof the flow control device 16 d in FIG. 8. A difference between theembodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 may be seen in that according to FIG. 8 thecooling fluid pressure in the cooling element 2 does not vary withvariations of the flow rate of the cooling fluid caused by the controlof the valve 10 by the control system 14 d, whereas according to FIG. 9the cooling fluid pressure in the cooling element 2 varies withvariations of the flow rate of the cooling fluid caused by the controlof the valve 10 by the control system 14 d.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a flow control device 16 e includes acontrol system 14 e and a pump 8 e having a controllable flow rate.Similar to FIGS. 8 and 9, a signal representative of a motor current Isis input to the control system 14 e that is configured to control theflow rate of the cooling fluid by controlling the flow rate of the pump8 e such that a predetermined average temperature Ta of the coolingfluid in the cooling element 2 is reached. A relationship between acurrent Is and a corresponding flow rate of the pump 8 e for varyingcurrents Is may have been pre-established through a calibration of theflow control device 16 e, for reaching the desired average temperatureTa of the cooling fluid in the cooling element 2.

FIG. 11 shows a cooling element 2 to be provided in thermal contact withat least part of a motor. A cooling duct assembly includes a supply duct4 through which a cooling fluid (i.e. a gas or a liquid, such as water)is fed to the cooling element 2, and further includes a discharge duct 6through which the cooling fluid is discharged from the cooling element2. A pump 8 provides a flow of the cooling fluid in the cooling ductassembly.

The cooling device shown in FIG. 11 further includes a recirculationduct 5 having an additional pump 9, a controllable valve 10 in therecirculation duct 5, and a temperature sensor 12 to measure a dischargetemperature of the cooling fluid in the discharge duct 6. Therecirculation duct 5 connects the supply duct 4 with the discharge duct6. A signal representative of the discharge temperature is input to acontrol system 14 f outputting a control signal to control the flow rateof the valve 10. The assembly of the interconnected temperature sensor12, the control system 14 f, and the valve 10 may be considered to be aflow control device 16 f.

The operation of the cooling arrangement in FIG. 11 is as follows. Thepump 8 delivers a flow of cooling fluid having a predeterminedtemperature T1 into the supply duct 4, through the cooling element 2,where heat dissipated by a motor is taken up by the cooling fluid, andfurther through the discharge duct 6. From the discharge duct 6, a partof the cooling fluid is recirculated through the recirculation duct 5including, the valve 10 and the pump 9 to the supply duct 4.

The flow rate of the cooling fluid in the cooling duct assembly isdetermined by the flow control device 16 f. A temperature T2 measured bythe temperature sensor 12 is input to the control system 14 f that isconfigured (e.g. by calibration) to control the flow rate of the coolingfluid by the valve 10 such that a predetermined average temperature Taof the cooling fluid in the cooling element 2 is reached.

It is observed here, that the valve 10 may be placed in therecirculation duct 5 downstream of the pump 9, instead of in therecirculation duct 5 upstream of the pump 9 as shown in FIG. 11, or maybe placed in the supply duct 4, upstream or downstream of therecirculation duct 5, or in the discharge duct 6, upstream or downstreamof the recirculation duct 5. The alternative places are indicated bydashed circles. Also, more than one valve 10 may be mounted at any ofthe indicated places, and may be controlled separately or commonly.

An embodiment of a cooling device shown in FIG. 12 differs from thecooling device of FIG. 11 in that the cooling device of FIG. 12 includesa temperature sensor 11 measuring a temperature T1 of the cooling fluidin the supply duct 4 downstream of the recirculation duct 5, and atemperature sensor measuring a temperature T2 of the cooling fluid inthe discharge duct 6 upstream of the recirculation duct 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, a flow control device 16 g includes theinterconnected temperature sensors 1 and 12, a control system 14 g, anda controllable valve 10 in the recirculation duct 5.

Like in the previous embodiments, the flow rate of the cooling fluid inthe cooling duct assembly is determined by the flow control device 16 g.Signals representative of the temperatures T1 and T2 measured by thetemperature sensors 11 and 12, respectively, are input to the controlsystem 14 g that compares these temperatures. The control system 14 g isconfigured to control the flow rate of the cooling fluid by the valve 10such that a predetermined average temperature Ta=(T2+T1)/2 of thecooling fluid in the cooling element 2 is reached. Unlike the embodimentof FIG. 11, in the embodiment of FIG. 12 a temperature of the coolingfluid in the supply duct 4, whether upstream or downstream therecirculation duct 5, does not need to be known or set accurately, aslong as it is lower than the average temperature Ta to be reached.

Like in the embodiment of FIG. 11, in the embodiment of FIG. 12 thevalve 10 may be placed in the recirculation duct 5 downstream of thepump 9, instead of in the recirculation duct 5 upstream of the pump 9,or may be placed in the supply duct 4, upstream or downstream of therecirculation duct 5, or in the discharge duct 6, upstream or downstreamof the recirculation duct 5. The alternative places are indicated bydashed circles. Also, more than one valve 10 may be mounted at any ofthe indicated places, and may be controlled separately or commonly.

In relation to each of the FIGS. 11 and 12, an alternative embodimentmay be designed wherein the pump 9 is absent, while all othercomponents, in particular the valve 10, remain present. The duct 5 nowmay be referred to as a bypass duct, including the valve 10. In thealternative embodiment, the pump 8 delivers a flow of cooling fluidhaving a predetermined temperature T1 into the supply duct 4 and thebypass duct 5. The flow rate of the cooling fluid in the bypass duct 5is determined by the flow control device 16 f (FIG. 11), 16 g (FIG. 12).In turn, the flow rate of the cooling fluid in the supply duct 4 isdetermined by the flow rate of the cooling fluid in the bypass duct 5.The flow provided by the pump 8 is constant. According to FIG. 11, inthe alternative embodiment the temperature T2 measured by thetemperature sensor 12 is input to the control system 14 f that isconfigured to control the flow rate of the cooling fluid by the valve 10such that a predetermined average temperature Ta of the cooling fluid inthe cooling element 2 is reached. According to FIG. 12, in thealternative embodiment the signals representative of the temperatures T1and T2 measured by the temperature sensors 11 and 12, respectively, areinput to the control system 14 g that compares these temperatures, andis configured to control the flow rate of the cooling fluid by the valve10 such that a predetermined average temperature Ta=(T2+T1)/2 of thecooling fluid in the cooling element 2 is reached. Alternative places ofthe valve 10 indicated by dashed circles are not applicable in thealternative embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a flow control device 16 h including a temperature sensor12 inputting a signal representative of a temperature of the coolingfluid in the discharge duct 6 to a control system 14 h, which outputs acontrol signal to a pump 9 h having a controllable flow rate in arecirculation duct 5 connecting the discharge duct 6 to the supply duct4. Alternatively, or additionally, the control system 14 h may output acontrol signal to a pump 8 h having a controllable flow rate, asindicated by a dash-dotted line.

The flow rate of the cooling fluid in the cooling duct assembly of FIG.13 is determined by the flow control device 16 h. The cooling fluidsupplied by the pump 8 h has a predetermined (known) temperature. Asignal representative of a temperature measured by the temperaturesensor 12 is input to the control system 14 h that is configured (e.g.by calibration) to control the flow rate of the cooling fluid bycontrolling the flow rate of the pump 9 h, and possibly also the flowrate of the pump 8 h such that a predetermined average temperature Ta ofthe cooling fluid in the cooling element 2 is reached.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14, a flow control device 16 i includestemperature sensors 11 and 12, a control system 14 i, and a pump 9 ihaving a controllable flow rate in a recirculation duct 5 connecting thedischarge duct 6 to the supply duct 4.

Like in the previous embodiments, the flow rate of the cooling fluid inthe cooling duct assembly is determined by the flow control device 16 i.Signals representative of temperatures T1 and T2 measured by thetemperature sensors 11 and 12, respectively, are input to the controlsystem 14 i that compares these temperatures. The control system 14 i isconfigured to control the flow rate of the cooling fluid by the pump 9i, and possibly also the flow rate of the cooling fluid by the pump 8 isuch that a predetermined average temperature Ta=(T2+T1)/2 of thecooling fluid in the cooling element 2 is reached. Unlike the embodimentof FIG. 13, in the embodiment of FIG. 14 a temperature of the coolingfluid in the supply duct 4, whether upstream or downstream therecirculation duct 5, does not need to be known or set accurately, aslong as it is lower than the average temperature Ta to be reached.

FIG. 15 shows a cooling element 2 to be provided in thermal contact withat least part of a motor. A cooling duct assembly includes a supply duct4 through which a cooling fluid is fed to the cooling element 2, andfurther includes a discharge duct 6 through which the cooling fluid isdischarged from the cooling element 2. A pump 8 provides a flow of thecooling fluid in the cooling duct assembly.

The cooling arrangement shown in FIG. 15 further includes a supplementalduct 15 having an supplemental pump 19, a controllable valve 10 in thesupplemental duct 15, a temperature sensor 11 to measure a temperatureof the cooling temperature in the supply duct 4 downstream of thesupplemental duct 15, and a temperature sensor 12 to measure a dischargetemperature of the cooling fluid in the discharge duct 6. Thesupplemental duct 15 is connected to the supply duct 4, whereby coolingfluid supplied through the supplemental duct 15 is mixed with coolingfluid supplied through the supply duct 4 before flowing to the coolingelement 2. Signals representative of the temperatures measured by thetemperature sensors 111 and 12 are input to a control system 14 joutputting a control signal to control the flow rate of the valve 10.The assembly of the temperature sensors 11 and 12, the control system 14j, and the valve 10 may be considered to be a flow control device 16 j.

The operation of the cooling device in FIG. 15 is as follows. The pump 8delivers a flow of cooling fluid having a first temperature. The pump 19delivers a flow of cooling fluid having a second temperature, which ishigher than the first temperature. The flow of cooling fluid from thepump 19 is controlled by the valve 10, and may be equal to or higherthan zero. After mixing the cooling fluid having the first temperaturewith the cooling fluid having the second temperature, the cooling fluidflows into the supply duct 4, through the cooling element 2, where heatis taken up by the cooling fluid, and further through the discharge duct6.

The flow rate of the cooling fluid in the cooling duct assembly isdetermined by the flow control device 16 j. Signals representative oftemperatures measured by the temperature sensors 11 and 12 are input tothe control system 14 j that is configured to control the flow rate ofthe cooling fluid having the second temperature by the valve 10 suchthat a predetermined average temperature Ta of the cooling fluid in thecooling element 2 is reached.

FIG. 16 shows a flow control device 16 k including temperature sensors11 and 12 inputting temperature signals to a control system 14 k, whichoutputs a control signal to a pump 19 k having a controllable flow ratein a supplemental duct 15. Alternatively, or additionally, the controlsystem 14 k may output a control signal to a pump 8 k having acontrollable flow rate, as indicated by a dash-dotted line. As in theembodiment shown in FIG. 15, in the embodiment of FIG. 16 the pump 8 kdelivers a flow of cooling fluid having a first temperature. The pump 19k delivers a flow of cooling fluid having a second temperature, which ishigher than the first temperature. The flow of cooling fluid from thepump 19 k may be equal to or higher than zero. After mixing the coolingfluid having the first temperature with the cooling fluid having thesecond temperature, the cooling fluid flows into the supply duct 4,through the cooling element 2, where heat is taken up by the coolingfluid, and further through the discharge duct 6.

The flow rate of the cooling fluid in the cooling duct assembly of FIG.16 is determined by the flow control device 16 k. Signals representativeof temperatures measured by the temperature sensors 11 and 12 are inputto the control system 14 k that is configured to control the flow rateof the cooling fluid having the second temperature by controlling theflow rate of the pump 19 k, and possibly also the flow rate of the pump8 k such that a predetermined average temperature Ta of the coolingfluid in the cooling element 2 is reached.

In relation to the embodiments described using one or more temperaturesensors in the cooling duct assembly, alternative embodiments may beenvisaged wherein the temperature sensor(s) in the cooling duct assemblyare replaced with one or more motor temperature sensors measuring atemperature in at least part of a motor, such as a motor coil, inthermal contact with the cooling element 2. The one or more motortemperature sensors may be present in the motor anyway for safetyreasons. In this way, a temperature similar to, or corresponding to theaverage temperature Ta may be measured and input to a flow controldevice to control a flow rate of the cooling fluid through at least partof the cooling duct assembly to reach a predetermined averagetemperature of the cooling fluid in the cooling element 2.

A difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 2-10 on the one hand, andthe embodiments of FIGS. 11-16 on the other hand is that in the formerembodiments the control may be faster and may be more accurate than inthe latter embodiments.

The skilled person will appreciate that various cooling fluid flow ratecontrols as described above and illustrated in the drawings may becombined with each other to obtain a modified cooling device accordingto an embodiment of the present invention without departing from thescope of the claims set out below.

Although specific reference may be made in this text to the use oflithographic apparatus in the manufacture of ICs, it should beunderstood that the lithographic apparatus described herein may haveother applications, such as the manufacture of integrated opticalsystems, guidance and detection patterns for magnetic domain memories,flat-panel displays, liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), thin-film magneticheads, etc. The skilled artisan will appreciate that, in the context ofsuch alternative applications, any use of the terms “wafer” or “die”herein may be considered as synonymous with the more general terms“substrate” or “target portion”, respectively. The substrate referred toherein may be processed, before or after exposure, in for example atrack (a tool that typically applies a layer of resist to a substrateand develops the exposed resist), a metrology tool and/or an inspectiontool. Where applicable, the disclosure herein may be applied to such andother substrate processing tools. Further, the substrate may beprocessed more than once, for example in order to create a multi-layerIC, so that the term substrate used herein may also refer to a substratethat already contains multiple processed layers.

Although specific reference may have been made above to the use ofembodiments of the invention in the context of optical lithography, itwill be appreciated that the invention may be used in otherapplications, for example imprint lithography, and where the contextallows, is not limited to optical lithography. In imprint lithography atopography in a patterning device defines the pattern created on asubstrate. The topography of the patterning device may be pressed into alayer of resist supplied to the substrate whereupon the resist is curedby applying electromagnetic radiation, heat, pressure or a combinationthereof. The patterning device is moved out of the resist leaving apattern in it after the resist is cured.

The terms “radiation” and “beam” used herein encompass all types ofelectromagnetic radiation, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation (e.g.having a wavelength of or about 365, 248, 193, 157 or 126 nm) andextreme ultra-violet (EUV) radiation (e.g. having a wavelength in therange of 5-20 nm), as well as particle beams, such as ion beams orelectron beams.

The term “lens”, where the context allows, may refer to any one orcombination of various types of optical components, includingrefractive, reflective, magnetic, electromagnetic and electrostaticoptical components.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are definedas including (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, isdefined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and notnecessarily mechanically. Further, the terms and phrases used herein arenot intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling device for removing heat from a motor,the cooling device comprising: a cooling element provided in thermalcontact with at least part of the motor; a cooling duct assemblycomprising a supply duct configured to supply a cooling fluid to thecooling element, a discharge duct configured to discharge the coolingfluid from the cooling element, and a recirculating duct configured toconnect the discharge duct and the supply duct to each other, therecirculation duct having a first pump; a second pump configured tocause the cooling fluid to flow through at least part of the coolingduct assembly; and a flow control device configured to control a flowrate of the first pump and the second pump, so as to maintain apredetermined average temperature of the cooling fluid in the coolingelement.
 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the motor is anelectric motor to be energized by at least one motor current, the flowcontrol device being configured to measure the at least one motorcurrent to control a flow rate of the cooling fluid.
 3. The coolingdevice of claim 1, wherein the flow control device comprises a valvethat is arranged in the cooling duct assembly, the valve beingconfigured to provide a controllable flow rate.
 4. The cooling device ofclaim 3, wherein the valve is in the discharge duct.
 5. The coolingdevice of claim 1, wherein the cooling duct assembly comprises asupplemental duct configured to supply the cooling fluid to the supplyduct, the supplemental duct containing an additional pump.
 6. Thecooling device of claim 5, wherein the flow control device comprises avalve in the supplemental duct, the valve being configured to provide acontrollable flow rate.
 7. The cooling device of claim 5, wherein theflow control device is configured to control a flow rate generated bythe additional pump.
 8. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the flowcontrol device is configured to control a flow rate generated by thepump.